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The Final Frontier 2
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Final Frontier 2 (Disk 2 of 3).adf
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GENE
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GENE
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GENE
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1999-12-25
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124 lines
GENE RODDENBERRY - A TRIBUTE
Colin Gunn
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SPACE THE FINAL FRONTIER.
THESE ARE THE VOYAGES OF GENE RODDENBERRY.
HIS ONGOING MISSION, TO TAKE US ON A DREAM,
A DREAM OF A POSITIVE FUTURE FOR ALL.
TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE.......
Peacefully on the 24th of October 1991 a man with a great vison of a unified
Earth (and galaxy) passed away and left a void in the hearts of many. Gene
Roddenberry brought to millions of people a positive view of a future where
all could live as one and strive forward in making contact with strange and
sometines exotic beings in the vast region we call space.
For me he bought a sense of belonging and friendship in a world where the
main attitude is always look after number one, the rest look out for
themselves. Not once do any of his characters turn there back on those that
need help. For this world to survive, surely an attitude to adopt.
But what impact has Star Trek had on others. Gene's visions have grown in the
hearts of many. Noted politicians see Star Trek as that positive dream for
all to strive for. In every walk of life Star Trek seems to crop up (and not
to mention other tv shows and films - non sci-fi related, using the famous
catch pharses of the shows). It has affected us all one way or another. Who
would believe one mans views would touch millions.
Gene was born on 19th August 1921, a time in America's history of great
struggle. During his childhood and his activities in the 2nd world war, could
have begun to mold his views towards a better future where man does not kill
man for greed or petty issues. He began to write and bring his views to
others. His first tv series (although short lived) showed a sense of realism
and conviction not shown before on tv. The Lieutenant also starred some
familier people from a somewhat famous show we all love. After the Lieutenant
came Star Trek. Now it was time to show the world that in the future there is
just no need for war with ourselves and join together in expanding our
horizons.
Star Trek had the unfourtunate task of being aired along with the popular
programs of the time... Lost in Space, Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea etc.
These programmes had a happy go lucky attitude to live, If it's dangerous
nuke it! Gene's Trek was unique, let's show people in every day situations
but around a sci-fi theme, for after all we are going to be there one day.
I was 9 when I first saw Trek. That was the first British transmission in
1969 right after the first manned Moon landing. Seeing Trek after that event
(according to my parents) hooked me on Trek. I'd throw tantrums if I couldn't
watch it, they just couldn't understand my fascination with it. Obviously
being so young it was the spaceships and aliens that I enjoyed the most. But
watching it more, the repeats etc, made me get deeper into what this
programme was about. I want to live in a world like Trek. Gene painted a
picture for us to perhaps help us in our quest for peace.
Just shortly after his death, I sent a letter to his wife, Majel, expressing
my condolences and to let her know that our thoughts and support are with her
through her time of loss. I never expected a reply to my letter, as we can
all imagine Majel had a lot on her mind. But she took the time to send a card
thanking me for my kindness in writing. Again this is more evidence of what
Star Trek means to me, of what Gene's dream means to me, the friendship and
thoughtfulness of everyone involved.
Gene you will be missed. But how can a man like him be truly gone... All
around us he is remembered all over the world (somewhere Trek is being shown
every minute of the day) no one like Gene will ever be forgotten. For his
contribution towards a better life continues in us all.
Gene hasn't gone..............................
HIS VOYAGES HAVE JUST BEGUN
Simon Plumbe
------------
I can remember the moment quite clearly when I first heard the news about
Gene's death. I was sitting at home on Friday 25th October, and I was
preparing to watch a TREK episode. I had booked the day off from work to
watch TREK and work on the mag. It was about 1:15 PM when my parents returned
home from a shopping trip and my mother asked me if I had heard the news.
To say it was a shock was an understatement. Yes, we all knew deep down that
Gene had been ill for quite some time and that it wasn't really unexpected,
but it was still a shock. I ended up just lying on my bed for about three
hours in silence thinking of Gene and the effect he has had on my life.
All night, I was on the phone to friends who kept calling me, asking if I had
heard the news. "Was it true?", they asked. Sadly, it was. As usual, the
British press almost ignored his death completely with a few small mentions
and nothing else.
Looking back, I'm astonished when I realise the extent to which Gene
Roddenberry and STAR TREK have influenced my life and way of thinking. Most
of my spare time and money are devoted to TREK, in spending too much money on
merchandise or by spending night after night infront of the video or keyboard
watching or writing about the show.
I don't think anyone really knew what was happening when STAR TREK was first
transmitted. Gene had a wonderfully optimistic view of the future, where the
human race had "matured" to a level where material needs were obsolete and
where different races and cultures could get along with each other,
appreciating the subtle differences and looking at the person, not their
beliefs. Hopefully, someday, Gene's dream will become a reality.
But not just on a philosophical level, STAR TREK has changed the way science
fiction is viewed on TV and film. There are countless "devices" and
terminology in sci-fi that have been spawned by STAR TREK. For example,
faster-than-light travel, tranporters, shields and almost any technical
element in ANY sci-fi film or TV show owes something to STAR TREK and Gene
Roddenberry.
All I can say is that the world of STAR TREK, and the world in general will
be a much duller place without the spirit of Gene Roddenberry. However, my
one main regret in life as a Trekker is that I was never able to meet this
great man.
Gene Roddenberry ..... gone but NEVER forgotten.